Bristol City Council’s Cabinet will consider a report prepared by council officers which recommends using land commonly known as ‘Temple Island’ and ‘Arena Island’ for mixed development other than an arena.
The report will go before Cabinet on 4 September and will also inform debate at Overview Scrutiny and Full Council meetings on 3 September.
Officers are recommending the council explore an alternative mixed use scheme on the site with potential partners, with a view to more developed plans coming back to Cabinet at a later date, and not to progress with proposals for an arena on Temple Island.
The report states the scheme could include a bespoke conference centre and a four or five star hotel, commercial space with supporting retail and residential homes for city centre living, including affordable homes. Proposals of this nature have been put forward by Legal & General, a company which has previously invested £240m in the surrounding Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone area.
The report also recommends that a business case is developed to re-allocate £53m earmarked as public funding for the proposed arena to other targeted schemes in Bristol, including housing and transport infrastructure. This funding is from the government’s Economic Development Fund and, if the Cabinet approve the recommendations on 4 September, a business case would need to be submitted to the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for approval.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol said:
“We must make a decision which is evidence-based, set against clear criteria, for inclusive economic growth, jobs and homes, and on the best option which delivers for the future of the city centre. This cannot be a decision that serves political opportunism.
“These reports are critical to that process and lay out the facts for all to see. I’d like to thank everyone who has worked hard to support an engaging, informed debate and put real options on the table.
“The process to date has taken us from a completely undeliverable vanity project to having structured, affordable options which all have merits and put less pressure on the public purse. I look forward to discussing the issue in coming weeks and realising an economically-viable, inclusive and sustainable vision for Bristol city centre.”
The full reports including independent technical studies into both options for Temple Island can be found on Bristol City Council’s website.
Petitions and written statements for Cabinet on 4 September must be received by 12 noon on Monday 3 September 2018. One written statement per member of the public is permitted. Written public questions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 29 August 2018. A maximum of two questions per member of the public is permitted. Questions should be addressed to the Mayor or relevant Cabinet Member. Items for public forum can be sent to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk.
